RTM/GA or Insider - What are you going to do?

I will be in the Insiders Program for as long as it or I last.

Wynona said:

Although Microsoft has given free copies of Windows to Beta Testers in the past, they have never promised me a free copy if I would be a beta tester.

Throughout the Technical Preview, we were never promised a free copy of Windows 10 by virtue of testing the product. Yes, there was the unfortunate wording by Gabe Aul, but I remain firmly convinced he never intended to promise us a free copy except for a free upgrade from Windows 7 or 8.1.

Think about it . . . Microsoft is already giving away millions and millions of upgrades (that's gotta be a pretty sizable chunk o' change). Why should we expect them to give away somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 to 5 million full copies of Windows 10?

I've thought about it and I think Gabe Aul, should go into politics then he can say what he likes and back pedal anytime he likes and no one will complain

^ I agree with that.

HippsieGypsie said:

Allow me to start by stating that I dislike using a mouse. I'm a proficient keyboardist. Have been since Windows 98. Not only in Windows navigation with combo keys, but also in Office and other programs. The only time I'm forced to use the mouse half the time is in IE, for one has to tab forever to reach the item one desires. IE or any other browser I've tried is not designed for a keyboard in mind. There are a few keys I use for navigation such as F4 brings down History then arrow down to selection then Enter. Ctrl/T to open a new tab. Ctrl/W to close a tab. Ctrl/Tab to shuffle through tabs. Alt/S to post. That's about it. To reach a thread on my subscription page I need to grab the mouse otherwise I'm tabbing too long.

Have you seen the list of combo keys for 10? Hardly any. They stripped a lot of them out. Hopefully they are going to add them soon. A lot of the combo keys that have been following along from edition to edition > Gone! Even the Windows key is basically useless, save opening the Start menu. When it's open it's a bear on a keyboard to navigate.

Even though the 8 series was designed touch-centric it brought the best combo keys to the table. Keyboard navigation better than 7 or previous. I fly with it in 8.1. Therefore that's why I stated that 10 will be awesome on a touch device, but stinks on a keyboard. The mouse is really an extension of a finger. I'm forced to use the mouse much, much and I may have to settle for that.

I guess you could call me proficient at the keyboard, since in a past life, I was a statistical typist and a technical typist along with the normal every day use of Microsoft Word for plain vanilla documents with a few extras thrown in. I typed instructions on how to produce oil from coal . . . yeah, a long convoluted process . . . no, I didn't come up with the instructions; I just put them into the computer. :) We even had a huge "recipe book" that I created (with a little help from my bosses).

That said, I like the mouse, generally one click and I'm done; however, to each his own. I just find it easier to use a mouse than learn all those keyboard shortcuts.

Charlie said:

Roger
Good plan I like that. You can use your GA for everyday use and also see "what's new" on the same machine. Nice.

Yes, I've been dual booting Windows 8.1 and 10 throughout the Preview and will continue to do so with one small difference; Windows 8.1 will be Windows 10 upgrade. :)

Mustang said:

Thanks Wynona, appreciate the heads up.

Cheers M

You're welcome.

bromanbro said:

Dunno what GA stands for, but it's the Retail release of Win10 on July 29th, the one that will be shipped digitally to Upgraders.

<Snip>

GA = General Availability, which will happen worldwide. All Retailers/Distributors/Builders and Microsoft will begin to deliver Windows 10 worldwide.

dmholt57 said:

General Availability is when you can walk into a brick and mortar store and buy in a box. That will not happen on 29 July.

Why won't it happen?